[Daox]

Woo, I totally forgot about this post. I can look into the wiki. I haven't even done that yet though.

In the mean time I don't want to let this go. I think we should get a list up soon. We can always add to it. However, I'd like to keep this list to a list of things people can do right now. That means air sealing stuff, and even buying things like a kill a watt, but not remodeling ideas or buying a new fridge.

Anyways, I typed up a list of things from this thread plus a few more ideas I thought of. There are only 36 tips and I broke them down into the sections they help in. Of course there is some overlap between areas. I'd really like to get at least 50 tips though before putting the list up.



Air Sealing
-seal all penetrations in the ceiling to attic that might leak air (light fixtures, plumbing, ducting...) with caulk or expanding foam
-check weather stripping around doors and windows
-check caulking on outside of the house, windows, doors, and other trim. recheck every ~2 years.
-use magnetic weather stripping for exterior steel doors
-use window film to stop air leakage around windows
-use seal'n peel to stop air leakage around windows
-do a DIY home leakage test or have a professional energy audit done to identify problem areas
-seal the rim joist in the basement
-seal any outside penetrations in the wall (electrical, plumbing, ducting)
-seal the attic access door
-install switch and power outlet gaskets



Heating
-Turn your furnace thermostat temperature down as much as is comfortable
-Wear appropriate clothing for the season (bundle up in winter, dress light in summer)
-seal ducting with aluminum tape or mastic, do not use duct tape
-insulate ducting that is not in conditioned space (attic/basement)
-use a programmable thermostat
-open blinds/shades during the day to let solar heat in, close them at night to stay warmer
-have a professional come out and inspect/clean/tune up your natural gas / LPG furnace every ~2 years
-make/buy interior storm windows to increase a window's R value
-make/buy window quilts or insulating blinds to increase a window's R value
-make/buy insulating window curtains to increase a window's R value
-use an electric blanket to allow you to turn down the temperature more at night and still stay comfortable
-use a humidifier to ensure proper levels of humidity in the house. This will allow you to turn down the temperature and still be comfortable.
-remove window screens in winter to let more sun light through the window
-use ceiling fans on low to mix the air in the room up to prevent hot air from staying up near the ceiling
-close off rooms and their vents if they aren't being used regularly
-change your furnace filter regularly


Cooling
-Use blinds (good) or awnings (better) to block direct sunlight
-if possible, open the house up at night and use box fans in windows or a whole house fan to vent cool the house down instead of relying on the A/C
-install radiant barrier insulation in your attic
-place window A/C units on the north side of the house or other place where the sun does not shine on them
-turn the A/C thermostat temperature up as high as is comfortable, sometimes using the A/C just to dehumidify the house may be enough to be comfortable
-use fans to allow you to increase the A/C temperature and still stay comfortable



Water Conservation & Domestic Hot Water
-Turn your water heater temperture down as much as possible
-add additional insulation your hot water tank
-put a timer on your hot water tank
-turn off the water heater when you are away for extended periods of time
-use low flow showerheads and faucet aerators to reduce water usage
-install a dual flush conversion kit on your toilet
-put a brick or something else in your toilet's water tank to displace the amount of water used per flush
-plug the tub and let it fill with water as you take your shower. Leave the water in the tub until it has cooled down (heating your house) instead of letting that heat go down the drain.
-insulate hot water lines
-install heat traps on tank style water heaters
-turn the water off when not needed when showering, just use it for rinsing.



Electricity
-use CFL or LED lighting
-unplug electronics when not in use, a powerstrip makes this easier
-use a smart power strip to kill phantom loads, especially useful for tv and computer setups
-find phantom loads with a kill a watt
-turn your fridge temperature up to ~40F and freezer temperature up to ~0F



Clothes Washing
-wash clothes with cold water whenever possible
-use a clothes line to dry your clothes when possible
-only do full loads of laundry
-make sure the exhaust ducting for the dryer is clean. This can slow drying as well as become a fire hazard.



Cooking
-use a microwave when possible, it is more efficient at heating than most other forms of heating food
-studies show that using a dishwasher is more efficient than the average joe washing dishes. Users on EcoRenovator think that hand washing can be more efficient if done carefully.
-only do full loads of dishes in the dishwasher